Law enforcement officers continue to look for three suspects today after an altercation at Neosho Falls Wednesday led to a chase and a crash.
The vehicles occupants fled into a wooded area a few miles northwest of Iola. Despite a search that included two K9 units, officers were unable to locate them.
One suspect was identified as William Patton, 28, an African American about 5-foot, 7-inches and 150 pounds. Theyre also looking for an unidentified white male, about 5-foot, 7-inches with blond hair, and an unidentified white female with red hair.
The incident began a little before 2 p.m. when a man stopped at The Back Road Inn, a bar at Neosho Falls, which was not yet open, owner Amber Sutherland said. He asked for a ride to a residence in Neosho Falls and she took him there, when a fight broke out and someone brandished a gun, she said.
Sutherland immediately reported the incident to law enforcement.
Woodson County Sheriffs Det. Jeff McCullough said he and Sheriff Wayne Faulkner responded. When they saw the suspects in a vehicle outside a trailer home they motioned for them to exit the vehicle, but instead it drove away. During the pursuit, the vehicle attempted to turn from Utah Road south onto 1000 Road, in Allen County, when it entered a field and struck a tree. The two men and the woman fled from the vehicle into the woods.
The Allen County Sheriffs Department, Kansas Highway Patrol and Iola Police Department assisted with the search, along with all-terrain vehicles and K-9 units from KHP and Chanute.
The tag on the suspects vehicle had been reported stolen, but the vehicle had not, McCullough said.
Anyone with information about the incident or the individuals involved is asked to call the Woodson County Sheriffs Office at 620-625-8640.
